BT plans music subscription service

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BT is reportedly in early discussions with execs at all four major labels to try and build a legal music subscription service to rival the vague plans that Sky says it has about a similar initiative.

Sky says that it's reached agreements with EMI and Sony Music, to go alongside its existing relationship with Universal. That leaves Warner, which has said that it's "still in talks".

BT's initiative, if it sees the light of day, will assist the government's push to get people off file sharing networks and back onto legal alternatives. The recent Digital Britain report said that the government wants to reduce piracy by 70% in 2 years.

However, recent surveys suggest that streaming services like digital music upstart Spotify are starting to curb the trend towards illegal services. The company plans to launch a number of mobile apps, so that may assist too.